March ARES Meeting Summary

09 March 2017 7:00 PM | Webmaster

W4DAS Doug announced needs associated with the upcoming Stuart Hamfest, including prayer for good weather, raffle ticket purchases, and assistance on Friday at noon to do setup.

N4DWM Dave reviewed the recent Red Cross PSA activation, and the fact that the Red Cross has only committed to staff 4 shelters this year.

W4SPR Spray requested members take pictures at all events for use on the websites.

WW4RX announced that the MCARES gear order has arrived, and reviewed the Red Cross PSA drill, in which 9 members participated.

Steve WW4RX announced the following upcoming events:

April19th - Non-graded Radiological Exercise

May 4th - Hurricane Exercise

June 24th - ARRL Field Day 2017

Gary K4GMW and Spray W4SPR led us in a discussion of the WinLink Packet software system we are rolling out to replace the WinPack software, which is no longer available. An instructional handout on the installation and configuration of WinLink was distributed.

Meeting adjourned at 8:15 PM and the group visited the EOC Radio Room to look at the new computers which have been installed.

10 Apr 2014 6:30 PM |
Anonymous

Following the pledge of allegiance, WW4RX Steve asked for a moment of silence in memory of KD4PQQ Ron's father who passed away April 7th. Our treasurer, N4BG Ben reported that we cleared over $300 at the club table during the Stuart Hamfest.

WW4RX Steve announced the following upcoming events:

April12th - EMCOMM Symposium In Boca Raton

April15th - National Hurricane Conference in Orlando

July 12th - Skywarn Training at the Martin County EOC

Steve mentioned that topics to be discussed at the NHC will include EMCOMM in Orlando, ham radio coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing, and the Hurricane Watch Net

KI4OXP Joe reminded everyone about the upcoming MCARA Meeting on April 24th as well as the March Of Domes Walk For Babies on April 26th. MCARA has been asked to provide spotters along the route for this event. Participants will meet in Memorial Park in Stuart at 7 AM with handheld radios to provide coverage of the route.

N4BG gave us a demonstration of the Packet system we have installed at several of our permanent operating stations. Using a portable system set up in the classroom, he showed us how to exchange text messages from keyboard to keyboard as well as sending them to a mailbox at any of the stations. A list of our Packet stations with call signs and the frequencies of the repeaters was distributed. This is an important tool for use during an activation to exchange info when using voice is inappropriate.